Keep Yourself€”And Your Budget€”Cool The summer is certainly heating up here in Southern California. The recent heat wave may have been great news for your plans to head to the pool, but you might not be quite as grateful for it when you are trying to get work done around the house or are sitting in your office. Fortunately, you can use these summer energy tips to save yourself and your budget from the summer heat.

• Open your windows in the morning and evening when the air is cool, then keep them€”and your blinds€”closed during the day to keep the sun's rays and the heat they bring out while keeping the colder air in.
• Change your air filters. If you have a dirty filter in your ventilation system, it will have to work harder to push the air through. Reduce energy waste by changing your filters every few months.
• Similarly, if you have an outdoor AC unit, clear any debris that has accumulated on or near it. Trim plants that are nearby to further support your system.
• Did you know that in the average home, leaking ductwork counts for 25 percent of cooling costs? Help yourself realize significant savings by checking your ductwork and having a certified contractor repair any you discover.
• Use your fans. Turning on a ceiling or box fan can help you stay cool, but remember to turn the fans off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.
• Plant trees that will shade your home on its south side. These trees can block the harsh summer sun.

As you protect yourself and your family from the heat, let the experts protect you from life's what-ifs. For all of your homeowners insurance coverage needs in Thousand Oaks and the surrounding California area, contact Weeks & Associates Insurance Services.